Pop Xulture Newsletter # 32
Focusing on WonderCon 2025. 3/28 – 3/30/25
Hey Friends! Each year I give you highlights from WonderCon and this is that Newsletter!
Back in 2023 I wrote about the top WonderCon TV/Film panels (in Newsletter # 13), then in 2024 I broadened the scope giving more highlights from the rest of the Con (in Newsletter # 22). I’m carrying on that tradition this year, so here are the highlights (not rated):
Clown in a Cornfield, Brian Posehn & Todd McFarlane (3/28/25)
More than just a horror movie, Clown in a Cornfield is based on a novel by Adam Cesare. The exclusive clips we saw looked scary but there also seemed like a deeper story beneath. And Will Sasso was hilarious. I ran into Brian Posehn in a bathroom and awkwardly made a joke about his role on New Girl. He was very gracious, even holding the door as I exited, but then returned inside. I know when I’m not wanted, Brian. I caught the end of Todd McFarlane’s panel where he gave a sweet eulogy about Stan Lee and encouraged unpublished creators to persevere.
Spiritual Themes in Comics (3/28/25)
This is always an insightful panel put on by CCAS (Christian Comic Arts Society). I found a discussion on the themes of hope and redemption in 2025, both in stories told (Thunderbolts, Superman [2025], The Fantastic Four: First Steps) and for studios themselves, especially interesting. I was fortunate to sit with the talented Geoff Strout as he sketched the panelists in the picture above.
BONUS: Unpictured: I got to see the first two episodes of a new anime called Lazarus. I’m not an anime aficionado but it reminded me of Cowboy Bebop, which I later found out was also created by Shinichiro Watanabe (just search Lazarus images and you’ll see a blatant tonal clone). The story and the art were cool, the music was horrible (dissonant jazz that distracted from the images and narrative). I couldn’t take a picture because there was no panel.
Star Wars: Skeleton Crew (3/29/25)
Young stars Ravi Cabot-Conyers (Wim) and Robert Timothy Smith (Neel) were a delight. Exactly what you’d expect: spastic energy, humor, behind the scenes insights, and a lightsaber duel.
Gremlins: The Wild Batch (3/29/25)
This panel featured a soon-to-be-aired episode from the animated series Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai. Best part: Gremlins creator Joe Dante and John Glover (from Gremlins 2) were on the panel!
The Hunting Party (3/29/25)
I didn’t know the show The Hunting Party existed, but having seen some clips and hearing the creators and stars discuss, I’ll definitely be watching. I found it especially interesting that Universal Studios put JJ Bailey and Jake Coburn together to see if they wanted to partner on anything and this show was born.
Until Dawn (3/29/25)
Director David F. Sandberg started the panel explaining he wanted to do a horror film but couldn’t decide on the subgenre (slasher, monster, etc.). Then this screenplay came along which has the character’s face a new subgenre each day. It seems like an innovative concept, in some ways subverting expectations like Scream, The Cabin in the Woods, or Haunting of Hill House.
Bonus: A new graphic novel by Ridley Scott called Modville is coming out and I got a teaser copy. The above photo is of Mechanical Cake’s (publisher) awesome booth on the Exhibit Floor.
Xoncluding Thoughts
I appreciate you reading this far and hope you enjoyed the coverage!
Thanks, in Him,
-Chris (the Bearded Wonder) Fogle